IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ China Danxia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment China Danxia 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment SITE INFORMATION Country: China Inscribed in: 2010 Criteria: (vii) (viii) China Danxia is the name given in China to landscapes developed on continental red terrigenous sedimentary beds influenced by endogenous forces (including uplift) and exogenous forces (including weathering and erosion). The inscribed site comprises six areas found in the sub-tropical zone of south- west China. They are characterized by spectacular red cliffs and a range of erosional landforms, including dramatic natural pillars, towers, ravines, valleys and waterfalls. These rugged landscapes have helped to conserve sub-tropical broad-leaved evergreen forests, and host many species of flora and fauna, about 400 of which are considered rare or threatened. © UNESCO SUMMARY 2020 Conservation Outlook Finalised on 01 Dec 2020 GOOD The conservation outlook for the property is generally good. The current state of the values of the property and the trend are respectively satisfactory and stable. The serial nature of the property, with its six widely separated component parts, is complex but the authorities must be commended on the degree to which they have provided a uniformly consistent legal and institutional framework for protection and management. Existing staff and other management resources appear to be adequate in coping with current factors affecting the property and low levels of threat. Protection of the property is assisted by its remoteness from development and the robust character of the geological landscape. Effective protection and management of the natural forest vegetation and biodiversity contributes significantly to the scenic and aesthetic qualities and to the on-going land forming processes. It is necessary to be vigilant in the face of an inevitable increase in visitor numbers and tourism development, as well as pressures from rural development, and astute management intervention will be required to avoid any undesirable impacts. Continuously increasing the level of international understanding of the Danxia geological landscape, through increased collaborative research and scientific publication and wider promotion campaigns, will be important. An integrated management plan including the six components is also necessary to be revised based on the version submitted during the nomination period and each overall plan of the six components. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ China Danxia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment FULL ASSESSMENT Description of values Values World Heritage values ▶ An exceptionally beautiful landscape Criterion:(vii) China Danxia is an impressive landscape of great natural beauty. Red conglomerate and sandstone have been shaped into spectacular peaks, pillars, cliffs and imposing gorges, together with winding rivers and majestic waterfalls, within a sub-tropical forest setting (World Heritage Committee, 2010). ▶ Oustanding geological features with great variety of Criterion:(viii) distinctive landforms The term "Danxia" describes the physical landform characterized by steep cliff slopes and developed from uplifted continental (terrestrial) reddish conglomerate and sandstone, also known as "red-beds". China Danxia is the world’s most outstanding example of this landform. Each of the six component parts of this serial property displays landforms characteristic of the different stages of Danxia landform development, and collectively they illustrate the full extent of geomorphic evolution of the Danxia formation in southeastern China and form a complete sequence of landform evolution (World Heritage Committee, 2010). Other important biodiversity values ▶ Intact sub-tropical forest remnants protecting significant biodiversity values. The rugged landscapes in the property protect sub-tropical broad leaved evergreen forests and a range of wildlife habitats important for endemic, endangered and threatened species of conservation significance. The forests are mostly secondary, comprising 23 different subtropical vegetation types, and include many ancient trees. In total the property contains 5,772 vascular plant species, more than 40 of which are endemic to the property and more than 600 endemic to China. Of the 34 species on the IUCN Red Data List, two are critically endangered, seven are endangered and 13 are vulnerable. Among the fauna are 836 vertebrates and some 3,000 insect species. Excluding insects, there are 47 species endemic to China and 66 species are listed by CITES. The eastern sites lie within a WWF Global 200 priority ecoregion and a WWF/IUCN Centre of Plant Diversity (People’s Republic of China, 2008a; UNEP/WCMC, 2012). Assessment information Threats Current Threats Low Threat Overall the threats to the property are at a low to very low level, though in some cases it is difficult to judge because of limited available information. It appears that the more notable threats are from pressure of township and associated infrastructure development, water pollution, construction of tourism facilities and from the growth of visitor numbers and tourism. Threats are generally higher in the buffer zone than inside the property. Existing management capacity appears to be sufficient to respond adequately to IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ China Danxia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment current threats. ▶ Invasive Non-Native/ Alien Species Very Low Threat (Introduction of invasive plants and pests) Inside site, extent of threat not known Outside site Alien pest species are reported but specifics are lacking. Nonetheless, the local governments have been developing measures to prevent the invasion. (People’s Republic of China, 2008a; 2008b; State Party of China, 2010). Few invasive non-native/ alien species were reported or published. ▶ Housing/ Urban Areas Low Threat (Township development and associated infrastructure) Inside site, localised(<5%) Outside site Villages and small towns are common, but the development pressure appears to be mainly in the buffer zone (People’s Republic of China, 2008a). Impacts include visual impacts on the landscapes and environmental fragmentation (IUCN Consultation, 2017). Interim Measures for the Administration of Construction of Residential Houses and Civilian Facilities in Langshan Scenic and Historic Interested Area were issued on April 14th, 2011, to strengthen the planning and construction management, and standardize the construction behavior of folk houses and civil facilities in the of Langshan Scenic and Historic Interested Area and World Heritage Property (People’s Government of Xinning County, 2012). ▶ Fire/ Fire Suppression Very Low Threat (Wildfires) Inside site, localised(<5%) Outside site Wildfires occur during the dry season and at times of drought. Early-warning, preparedness and prevention systems are in place (People’s Republic of China, 2008a; 2008b; State Party of China, 2010). The management committee of each heritage component has set up a special monitoring, patrol fire emergency, ambulance law enforcement and protection agencies, equipped with management teams and management systems (Peng Hua, 2012) ▶ Tourism/ Recreation Areas Low Threat (Visual and physical effects of tourism facilities and infrastructure Inside site, localised(<5%) development) There has been a modest increase in annual tourist numbers with steady growth continuing. Current numbers are well below the physical and social carrying capacity, though some congestion occurs at the most popular scenic spots in holiday seasons. Management capacity is sufficient to cope with current tourism pressures, but on-going vigilance is required. A skyway was built in Xiangbi Mountain and Paiya Peak of Longhushan for tourism in 2016 and 2017. (IUCN, 2010; People’s Republic of China, 2008a; Yingtan, 2017; Li Hangfei, 2016). China has carried out large-scale environmental protection inspections, and environmental protection departments have continued to find problems and urge rectification work in Nature Reserves and Scenic Spots (sthjt.sc.gov.cn, 2015; Forestry.gov.cn, 2016; Guizhou.gov, 2018). However, the gradual and further potential threat from visitors is hard to perceive and monitor, the study of long range impact and forecasting of tourism on the site should be encouraged and supported (if possible, maybe partially funded) by administrative organization (IUCN Consultation, 2020). ▶ Water Pollution Low Threat (Water and air pollution) Inside site, localised(<5%) Outside site There were some factories, causing effluents in Danxiashan of Guangdong province, however these have now been closed and relocated to an area from where effluents pose no threat to the values of the site (IUCN Consultation, 2020). The mining factories on Fuyi River upstream of of Langshan, Hu’nan province have caused riverbed pollution and ecological damage in the past (MEP, n.d.; Chen Zhijun, et al., 2016). However, air pollution is low in most areas of the property (IUCN Consultation, 2017). Based on monitoring results, water and air quality in Chishui are good (Ecological and environmental department of Zunyi City, n.d.), good in Taining (People’s Government of Taining County, n.d.), reach class I or II in Langshan (Chen Zhijun, et al, 2016, pp. 70), and are good in Jianglangshan (Chen Minlan, IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ China Danxia - 2020 Conservation